United Now Allowing Free Changes On All Flights (For Travel Through April 30, 2020)

By: Ben Schlappig

Published: March 10, 2020

31 comments

It looks like Delta has pressured United into doing the right thing (which isn’t a first).

In this post:

United waiving change fees on previously booked tickets

United has just announced that they’re waiving change fees for all tickets issued before March 2, 2020, for travel between March 9 and April 30, 2020.

Customers who will benefit from this policy can rebook for travel through December 31, 2020, or within 12 months of the original date of ticket issue, whichever is earlier.

How United’s previous waived change fee policy worked

Prior to this announcement, US carriers have been using waived change fees as a sales technique. They’ve only applied this on newly booked tickets as a way of boosting bookings, rather than applying it to those with previously issued tickets.

Arguably those with previously booked tickets need the help most, given that many of them are traveling right now, and dealing with a lot of uncertainty. But of course being kind to those who already purchased tickets doesn’t do much for airlines, as they see it…

In the case of United, they’ve been waiving change fees for all tickets booked between March 3 and March 31, 2020. This has applied to all fare types, and has allowed customers to rebook on other flights within 12 months.

With this new policy even tickets booked before March 3 are covered, assuming you travel by April 30, 2020 (though I imagine that date has the potential to be extended, assuming Delta extends it).

I of course understand airlines are being hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak, but sometimes you just have to do the right thing and take care of customers.

Bottom line

I’m happy to see that United is following Delta here and introducing this policy. It still doesn’t make up for their outrageous, punitive, new schedule change policy (the airline has backtracked on this slightly).

Still, this is good for consumers, and is the right policy.

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The latest from the OMAAT community.

Allisonb Guest

April 11, 2020, 4:44 am

We are due to travel in August through United and we are contemplating cancelling our flights and travelling next year. 1. The flight has cost 1400 and they are giving us a credit of 1200 With no explanation of why ( thought until end April no fees apply ) 2. When looking at cancelling flight and receiving credit it's saying to rebook "change fees may apply" unless you have a change waiver ? Has anyone had any experience of cancelling existing flights , moving them and the associated fees during this current period?

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Greg Guest

March 29, 2020, 10:52 am

I had the same decision to make but I decided to call them. I made sure they acknowledge on the phone that I would get my refund after one year without using the credit. They told me I could ask for a refund exactly one year after I bought my tickets. Hope it helps

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Adam B. Guest

March 28, 2020, 3:57 pm

I just cancelled mine as well and had the same dilemma. Eventually decided to go for the electronic certificate as that is valid to be redeemed until 1 year from date of issue and it says that one can use it multiple times until the entire value gets depleted. Note that the e-certificate is redeemable only towards transportation on any flight operated by United Airlines, Inc. or UnitedExpress. Otherwise, it is not valid on flights operated by other airlines, including United marketed codeshare and StarAlliance flights. Good luck!

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Marienne Sanders Guest

March 28, 2020, 11:12 am

When cancelling with the COVID-19 policy, United offers to options: 1) apply value to electronic travel certificate, or 2) rebook later with future travel credit In searching their site I don't see any guidance or pros/cons between the two -- do you have any additional insight? Trying to decide which to choose as we cancel an international trip originally booked for late April. Thank you!!

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wt Guest

March 19, 2020, 1:12 pm

We are just getting screwed by United Airlines AGAIN! We were going to a Graduation the first week of May and booked in the middle of Feb. Because our flight is after April 30 we do not qualify. At this point I see NO WAY it will be safe to truly travel in May. They moved us to other flights in the past without notice when the original flight was still a valid flight and changed our seat assignments when we paid for the seat other places on the plane without refund or notice until we got our boarding passes. I am leaning to NEVER using United Airlines again if there is ANY OTHER option.

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